Dickey Betts, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, has one of the most distinctive voices in music today. Known as one of the most influential guitar players of all time, Betts has mastered a seamless style of lyrical melody and rhythm -- marrying country, jazz, blues, and rock into one unparalleled sound. The New York Times has called Betts "one of the great rock guitarists…[who thinks like a jazz improviser, in thoughtfully structured, cleanly articulated, intelligently paced phrases…[when] Mr. Betts was tearing into one of his improvisations, the music was about as exciting as rock and roll gets."

Playing since he can remember, Betts joined several bands in the sixties and eventually formed a band with bassist Berry Oakley. One fateful night in 1969, Betts and Oakley's band jammed with another local group featuring Duane and Gregg Allman, marking the birth of the Allman Brothers Band.

In addition to matching band leader Duane Allman lick for lick, Betts also wrote such memorable songs as "Revival" and the instrumental tour de force "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." After Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were killed in accidents a year apart in 1971 and 1972, the ABB worked through their sorrow, with Betts writing and singing the group's biggest hit, "Ramblin' Man".

Continued Success

Members of the band ventured into solo careers in 1973, and Betts released his first solo album Highway Call, in 1974. The ABB split up in 1976, and Betts formed Dickey Betts and Great Southern. The group reformed in 1978, but soon split again, and Betts formed the Dickey Betts Band releasing Pattern Disruptive in 1988.

In 1989, their 20th anniversary, the Allman Brothers Band reformed. The chemistry that resulted from the unique two-guitar approach of Warren Haynes and Betts made the Allman Brothers Band once again one of the most compelling bands in the country. The ABB enjoyed continued success throughout the nineties -- being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, winning their first Grammy, and amazing audiences with their powerful live performances.

A year after the ABB celebrated their 30th anniversary, Betts formed the Dickey Betts Band and hit the road on his own. His guitar sound is still immediately recognizable, with soaring leads providing musical wings, and his road-seasoned vocals reflecting grit and hard-earned respect. The group released their first C.D.,"Let's Get Together" in June, 2001. Dickey renamed the band "Dickey Betts & Great Southern when Dan Toler joined them in December of 2001. DB&GS's acoustic CD "The Collectors #1" was released in the Spring of 2002.

In this exclusive preview, Betts discusses what drove him to return to performing after hanging up his guitar in 2014. He explains, “I missed it. I just done it so long… I really started missing being on the road and, you know, getting out and doing things like this. Meeting people.” He likens his return to that of another legend, who enjoyed success after a brief hiatus, saying, “I feel kinda like Tiger Woods coming back. [After] four-and-a-half years, I’m really trying to play par, ya know. I don’t think you ever quite feel like you’re there, but I’m getting’ better at it.” Watch it here.

Also during the discussion, Betts examines his role in keeping The Allman Brothers Band’s tremendous legacy alive; reflects on the ups and downs of his relationship with the legendary Gregg Allman, with whom Betts was able to make peace before the singer’s death in 2017; and details his creative process in writing landmark hits such as “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica,” to name only a few, which were widely responsible for the band’s meteoric rise.

To see more of this insightful episode, tune in to The Big Interview on Tuesday, December 18 at 9pE/6pP, only on AXS TV.

The 2018 concert dates will feature Betts peppering his setlists with songs written by Gregg Allman, whose credits include “Midnight Rider,” “Melissa” and “Whipping Post.” The 23-minute live version of “Whipping Post” from the Allman Brothers Band’s masterful, breakthrough album “At Fillmore East” famously features the dual lead guitar playing of Betts and Duane Allman.
“I think the fans deserve to hear a few of Gregg’s song as well, so I’m pulling out some classics,” Betts said.

“We really gave this a lot of thought as to how and what the show will be,” Spero said. “Even I can’t wait to see it.”

The Dickey Betts Band hitting the road in 2018 will consist of Dickey and son Duane sharing lead guitar duties.

“Dickey is talking to some of the guys he has played with,” Spero said. “We should know in a couple of weeks who will comprise the band.”

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